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Bridge's nonprofit coverage is supported by readers, not advertising. If you appreciate nonpartisan, thorough Michigan journalism, please donate here. Five philanthropies will match your donation in our year-end fundraiser. Last year's contributions helped fund three new reporters. Help us further expand in 2019.

Articles

Republican lawmakers don’t want to be seen as supporting tax increases. Democrats want to blame Gov. Snyder for Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure. The result: a shortage of lawmakers willing to lead the charge for better roads.

Many in Michigan’s business community favor increasing fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, saying crumbling roads make it difficult to do business, and attract new businesses and visitors to the state.

Michigan spends less per capita on roads and bridges than any other state in the nation, and it shows. Experts say the state needs even more than the $1.3 billion requested by Gov. Snyder to make long-term improvements. Legislative leaders aren’t convinced.

Gov. John Engler was urged by the business community to raise fuel taxes up to 12 cents a gallon to fix Michigan roads and bridges. He agreed to a 4-cent raise. It wasn’t enough over the long haul. Today, MDOT pays $240 million a year on a $2.5 billion debt to repair roads.

A recent Michigan court ruling leaves some brain-injured crash victims unable to afford the vans that get them out of the house. Lansing, meanwhile, is seeking even further restrictions on the state’s generous no-fault auto benefits, citing the high cost to drivers.

Gov. Rick Snyder has pushed hard to make Michigan welcoming for immigrant entrepreneurs and international students at our colleges and universities. New Census data shows just how valuable well-educated newcomers are to Michigan’s economic recovery.